An 18-year-old Long Beach man was skating near Hicksville when he was struck by a sport utility vehicle, and the man died from his wounds on Friday.
A representative for Nassau BOCES in Westbury reported that Gerrin Hagen, a senior at Long Beach High School and a student there, had just been dismissed for the day before being hit on Thursday near Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center.
According to Nassau County police, a 2012 Honda Pilot struck Hagen around 2:26 p.m. on Thursday as both vehicles were traveling west on Cantiague Lane. Hagen was sent to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by medical professionals on Friday. The 19-year-old SUV driver stayed at the site.
At the Long Beach Ice Arena, located at 150 West Bay Drive, a candlelight vigil will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors are urged to bring candles and wear warm clothing.
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A flyer for the event read, “Long Beach families, we want you to stand together to honor Gerrin and support the Hagen family.”
‘A Friend To So Many’
Friday, the community of Long Beach began to send condolences. The Long Beach Fire Department shared posts from the Islanders High School Hockey League requesting prayers for Hagen and his family.
Hagen was a standout hockey defenseman for the Long Beach Lightning travel club, the varsity hockey team at Long Beach High School, and the Long Island Gulls Amateur Hockey Association. According to officials, he was a regular at the Long Beach Ice Arena.
Superintendent of Long Beach schools Jennifer Gallagher informed parents of Hagen’s passing in a letter.
As your superintendent, but more so as a parent, I am devastated to inform you that Gerrin Hagen, a Long Beach High School senior, died today due to a sad accident that happened yesterday afternoon, Gallagher wrote. “Gerrin was a fantastic student, a talented athlete, and a friend to so many, as many in our community know.”
The district’s school board president, Anne Conway, remarked in an interview on Friday night that the loss had devastated the Long Beach neighborhood. She claimed Hagen’s family was mourning because Hagen’s father works for the FDNY.
Teen killed in skateboard accident mourned at Long Beach vigil
Gerrin Hagen, a young man with an “infectious smile,” is remembered by the community through music, prayer and tears at the gathering Saturday. By @joewerk https://t.co/pMTvLaIWdN— John Asbury (@johnasbury) January 15, 2023
According to Conway, “Gerrin was a great leader admired by his peers and teammates.”
According to team coach Michael Medrano, Gerrin Hagen In also served as a lifeguard in Long Beach and served as captain of the Varsity Marines hockey team at Long Beach High School.
According to Medrano, Hagen also assisted with the Junior Rangers program and taught smaller kids to skate at the Long Beach Ice Arena.
Hockey was Gerrin’s true passion. He was pleased to represent his hometown,” Medrano stated. The Long Beach High School lacrosse team congregated during Hagen’s final hours.
“Today, the entire team was present. Their coach Jason Pearl recalled that we shared our tears, talked to him, and just worked through it as a team. “It was a terrible circumstance. He was a wonderful young man who was kind to everyone.”
Grief counselors were sent to the high school when the district’s crisis response plan was activated, according to school officials, who Gallagher said will remain available to speak with kids in the coming weeks.
The school system also offers drop-in centers at Long Beach High School and the Lindell School on Sunday and Monday holidays to chat about the loss or to congregate with friends.